A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick

259. TO HIS SWEET SAVIOUR

     Night hath no wings to him that cannot sleep;
     And Time seems then not for to fly, but creep;
     Slowly her chariot drives, as if that she
     Had broke her wheel, or crack'd her axletree.
     Just so it is with me, who list'ning, pray
     The winds to blow the tedious night away,
     That I might see the cheerful peeping day.
     Sick is my heart; O Saviour!  do Thou please
     To make my bed soft in my sicknesses;
     Lighten my candle, so that I beneath
     Sleep not for ever in the vaults of death;
     Let me thy voice betimes i' th' morning hear;
     Call, and I'll come; say Thou the when and where:
     Draw me but first, and after Thee I'll run,
     And make no one stop till my race be done.